RNZB appoints new Executive Director

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is delighted to announce the appointment of Frances Turner as its Executive Director from 29 March 2016.

For the past decade Frances has been privileged to combine business skills and experience with her passion for the arts, being involved in the Tempo Festival and as co-founder of The New Zealand Dance Company. Frances is currently working with the partnership presenting Te Pö at the Auckland Arts Festival and New Zealand Festival in March.

Image of Frances Turner is courtesy of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Frances graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Accounting and is currently an arts executive and consultant.

She has lived in New Zealand since 1993 after relocating from Washington DC. Her initial career was in business with roles in strategy, financial management and project management in the USA and in NZ. Most notably in New Zealand she has worked for Ernst & Young and Carter Holt Harvey.

“Frances brings a wealth of experience from her business and arts careers, which coupled with her passion for dance and the RNZB made her a compelling choice” says Candis Craven, Chair of the company. “Frances will bring fresh ideas and an impressive understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing arts organisations today. We know that Frances will form a wonderful partnership with our Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia as they jointly lead the company.”

Francesco says “I welcome Frances to the RNZB and I look forward to sharing the leadership with her. Working together I know the art and the beauty created with our artists will go from strength to strength and every day we will be more and more proud to be the national ballet company of Aotearoa/New Zealand.”

Frances states “I believe I’ve been working throughout my career towards this role, and Executive Director of the RNZB is my dream role. I’ve attended performances of some the world’s leading dance companies around the globe yet some of the most memorable performances and unique works I’ve seen have been performed by the RNZB. It’s important to look back - honouring the traditions of ballet - while we move forward, evolving and growing as a 21st century ballet company. I’d like to honour, with tremendous respect, the many great artists, staff, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, audiences and vast number of funders, sponsors and supporters that have shaped the company since 1953 over its almost 63 year history.”

Frances is currently Auckland based and will relocate to Wellington.

Since October 2015 Kim Acland, a London based New Zealand arts executive has been Interim Executive Director. The board is indebted to Kim for assuming the co-leadership with Francesco Ventriglia over this period. Kim has bought a fresh pair of eyes to the RNZB and her experience and knowledge has been very much appreciated by the company.

RNZB’s 2016 season begins on the 26 February with Speed of Light an explosive programme of three contemporary classics by the choreographic masters Ekman, Foniadakis and Forsythe.

The winter programme follows with the world premiere of The Ryman Healthcare Season of The Wizard of Oz choreographed by the RNZB’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia. The Wizard of Oz is a story that Francesco has loved since he was a child.

Audiences will be delighted that Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg’s critically acclaimed Giselle returns in September